2011 No.17
BCC's Olly Bateson wins at Stranocum
As Ballymoney Cycling Club were getting some of their riders ready for the arduous task
at the RAS Donegal, life was as normal for the rest of the racers on Thursday night. It was round two
of the five club inter-club league. This round being promoted by Ballymoney on the tough "Stroan"
circuit around Dervock and Stranocum,
Race secretary Aaron Dickie had the three groups sorted into order of performance and with each of the
five clubs represented, Ballymoney CC, Carn Wheelers, Ballymena Road Club, Bann Valley and local
neighbours Bann Wheelers.
On this warm and balmy evening the locals were out to watch the spectacle of full gas bike racing
passing through their towns and villages. Cycling enthusiast and editor of a local newspaper Lyle
McMullan happened upon the race and was delighted to get first hand information and see the equipment
used by the riders, all 55 of them.
With five and a half minutes from the front group to the back scratch group, it was clear that there
would have to be some serious riding done if the fast men were going to get up for the finish on the
uphill drag to Stranocum Primary School.
Ballymoney Cycling Club and Bann Wheelers had three girls representing them with Kay Hack Bann
Wheelers, passing on tips and hints to Ballymoney CC girls Sophie Cameron Mitchell and Caitie O'Hagan.
With four laps to be covered it soon was clear what the intentions of the Ballymoney riders was, and
they were in no mood to hang around and wait
for their fast finishing team mates coming from behind. Eventual winner Olly Bateson and double winner
of past events Garreth McBride forced the pace at the front.
Coming into the final lap the two BCC men were driving hard and passing Strnocum bridge for the final
time the dicing duo were well clear of the field.
Bateson with 150 metres to the line struck hard for home and finished just in front of his team mate
McBride.
Final Result was.
1st Olly Bateson BCC
2nd Garreth McBride BCC
3rd Hugh Evans Carn Wheelers
4th Graeme Montgomery Bann Wheelers
5th Liam O'Connor Bann Valley
6th Martin Carroll BCC
7th Davy Park Bann Wheelers
8th Aaron Dickie BCC
9th Damien Hazlett Bann Wheelers
10th Gerry McCullough Bann Valley
RAS Donegal.
RAS Donegal saw Ballymoney Cycling Club reach heights only other clubs and cycling teams can dream off,
two 6th's, two 5th's and a 9th overall in General Classification.
Riders Jason Henry, Stevie McAllister, Bryan McKinney and Niall O'Hagan are to be congratulated for
their
massive efforts.
FULL REPORT NEXT WEEK!
Coming Events,
This Wednesday night the club will hold a 10 mile TT for the riders on the Ballybogey line starting at
7.15pm
2011 No.16
Garreth McBride BCC
Racing Team, two wins in 7 days
Ballymoney Cycling Club fast improving road racer Garreth McBride has won again!
Last Wednesday he won his own club's road race on the famous Tullaghans circuit, then he
along with team mates, Adrian Madden, Devon McIlwaine, newly upgraded to A3 rider Niall O'Hagan,
Olly Bateson and Steven McAllister. The six BCC riders visited the Bann Wheelers at the Three Oaks road race.
In what was described by an onlooker, "It was like watching the Russians!".He was referring to the eastern
European dominance by the Russians in the domestic cycling scene in the 80's and 90's where they won everything
they rode.Ballymoney CC had 6 riders in the first ten at this local race and the fast finishing McBride taking
the sprint from Paul McAfee, 2nd and Olly Bateson 3rd.
Results
1st Garreth McBride
BCC
2nd Paul McAfee (BW)
3rd Olly Bateson BCC
5th Devon McIlwaine BCC
8th Chris Beattie Ballymoney
9th Steven McAllister BCC
10th Adrian Madden BCC
13th Nial O'Hagan BCC
McKinney in fine form at the Bobby Crilly
Ballymoney CC rider Bryan McKinney is hitting good form in time for this weekends RAS Donegal stage race.
On Saturday BCC riders Bryan McKinney, Steven McAllister, newly upgraded A3 rider Niall O'Hagan, Olly Bateson
and double winner Garreth McBride set off to tackle the short but daunting Bobby Crilly Road race at Nutts
corner.
In the A4 race BCC duo, Bateson and McBride battled the elements in harsh winds and driving rain and in typical
BCC style both lads were there there at the finish.
This gives them an insight into the harsh reality of Irish Cycling and it seems they are looking for more. When
asked at the finish if Garreth was riding at the Inter club Road race on Thursday night he replied, "Bring it
on!"
In the A!/A2/A3 race over 53 miles covered by the eventual winner Conor McAllister in 2hours 3minutes,
BallymoneyCC rider Bryan McKinney got into an early break of thirteen riders who stayed away to the end with,
McAllister, Michael Murray and Simon Williams breaking clear on the run up to Divis Mountain. Bryan who had
fought hard all day to hold his position in the group was a very creditable 11th overall. Niall was caught out
when he dropped his chain, and Steven McAllister suffered a broken rear axle, both riders completed the course
and were in the 24th and 25th position overall.
Steven McAllister wins Circuit TT
The Ballymoney Cycling Club weekly race a 16.75km circuit TT on the Kirk hills, Dervock circuit was won by
local lad Steven McAllister. On a wet and blustery evening 18 riders took part in this test of character event
Inter Club Road Race at Stranocum. the riders lined up for the start at the old Moore's Unidrill premises on
the Kirk Road.
Setting off in one minute intervals the riders battled with the elements and some good performances were turned
in by Olly Bateson newcomer to road racing Graeme Elliott and Eddy McKinney.
The final result saw McAllister winning by one second from another fast finishing Ballymoney rider Jason Henry.
Result.
1st. Steven McAllister. 25min 22
2nd. Jason Henry. 25min 23
3rd Chris Beattie. 25min 32 4th. Jason Taggert. 25min 39 5th. Bryan McKinney. 25min 53 6th. Jerome McKendry. 26min 15 7th. Oliver Bateson 26min 47 8th. Adrian Madden. 27min 43 9th. Garreth McBride. 28min 03 10th. Martin Carroll. 28min 12 11th. Eddie McKinney. 30min 37 12th. Graeme Elliott. 32min 19
Inter Club Road Race this Thursday Night
This Thursday night Ballymoney Cycling Club will welcome, the Bann Wheelers, Ballymena Road Club, Carn Wheelers
and Bann Valley CC to the Stroan Circuit for round 2 of the Inter Club league. this is a fiercely contested
series and the Ballymoney round featuring the tough Stroan Rd will play a key part in the final outcome. With
Bann Wheelers leading from the first round at Slaght outside Ballymena. The Ballymoney riders will be out to
stamp their authority on this one. The men's race is 5 laps of the circuit finishing at Stranocum Primary
School, and the Woman's race is 3 laps of the same circuit.
Ballymoney Cycling Club are asking for the support of all their members to help make this a safe and enjoyable nights racing.
BCC Racing Team head to Donegal.
This Friday night sees the first stage of the three day RAS Donegal. Starting in the hilly town of Ardara, BCC
riders Steven McAllister, Niall O'Hagan, Bryan McKinney and joined by the vastly experienced Ballymoney rider
Jason Henry, the four lads are set to make this a race to remember. With the fast and furious Friday night
stage out of the way, Saturday sees a mountain TT in the morning and then an 86km stage in the afternoon. With
tired and heavy legs the riders face 100km on the Sunday with a mountain finish on the tough climb of Glengesh.
There will be a full report with photos in next weeks paper.
2011 No.15
Ballymoney's Garreth McBride in Top
Form
Ballymoney Cycling Club cyclists have again shown that they have the ability
to mix it with the best local riders. In the past 7 days they have secured a series of
top ten placings. Five in total.
Also favouriteschoolboys Aaron Swan and Craig Crawfordshowed the class that
puts them in every Irish squad that is picked to represent their country.
In the Northern Ireland Schoolboy championships, Swan was first in the Under 14's
and Crawford 3rd in the under16s at Bangor, Co. Down.
Riders featuring in the top ten placings were Garreth McBride, Bryan McKinney,
Niall O'Hagan and Jerome McKendry. Niall is now achieved the ten points required to
be upgraded from A4 to A3. A big congratulations is in order to the hard work he has put
in the get there. Also riding at Bangor in the Over 50's race was former Irish Road Race Champion Eddy McKinney
BCC, Eddy was a national Champion back in the late 70's beating Maurice Foster and Davy Kane on the tough
Dundrod circuit landing him with the Jersey and gold medal.
Inter Club Road Race at Ballymena
Ballymoney Cycling Club along with Bann Wheelers, Carn Wheelers, Bann Valley CC and Ballymena rode club are
involved a series of road races promoted by each of the clubs. This time it wasthe turn of Ballymena to get the
ball rolling. With 60 plus riders divided into 3 groups.
Ballymoney CC was represented by Philip McKeown, Aaron Dickie, Olly Bateson, Jerome McKendry Adrian Madden,
Jason Taggart, Ryan Fenton, Garreth McBride, Wayne Stevens and Steven McAllister.
With the faster riders well handicapped it was clear after the first lap that the "Scratch" group would not be
getting up and it was left to the front riders to get into the top placings. On a flat and fast circuit the
front two groups came together and it was a sprint to sort out the placings. Ballymoney CC getting 4 riders in
the top 12. The order at the line was Garreth McBride 5th, Adrian Madden 8th and Wayne Stevens 9th with Ryan
Fenton in 11th. This round was won by Coleraine pair of father and son James and Michael Thompson taking the
top placings.
The rest of the Ballymoney CC riders all finished and will again be in action on the Thursday 2nd June when it
is Ballymoney CC's turn to host the second round at Stranocum.
McBride wins on the Tullaghans.
28 riders faced the daunting task of 5 laps in the heart of the Long Mountain on Wednesday evening a total of
25 arduous miles.
Fives times the four groups climbed to St Mary's cross before hammering down the Mullen Rd in an attempt to
recover their fast tiring legs. Eventual winner and fast improving rider Garreth McBride was off in the front
group with Philip McKeown. Ann Paul (ETCC), Neville Patton, new addition and one to watch Devon McIlwain,
Martin Carroll, Hugh McConaghie, Aaron Dickie and
Paul McAfee from Bann Wheelers.
Right from the gun they set about holding off the groups behind and made good their overall 9 minute handicap
setting up a sprint finish over the Mullen top between McBride and Patton who had broken away in the last few
miles to the finish.
Garreth getting first and Neville second from Michael Thompson (Bann Wheelers) 4th went to the Northern Ireland
U14 Schoolboy Champion Aaron Swan, Arron was one of the riders in the second group who had pulled back the 5
minute deficit but could not catch
the two front riders. 5th went to another BCC rider Martin Carroll from Ballycastle.
Results
1st Garreth McBride BCC
2nd Neville Patton BCC
3rd Michael Thompson (BW)
4th Aaron Swann (BCC/TSC)
5th Martin Carroll BCC
A full results table can be seen at www.ballymoneycyclingclub.com.
Niall upgraded at Emyvale!
Sunday was the venue for racing cyclists from all over Ireland to assemble for the Co. Monaghan's Emyvale GP.
Held on a rolling circuit outside Tyndavet and Scotstown, part of this course will be used in June for the
Irish Road Race Championships, where Tour de France and Tours of Spain and Italy icons Nicholas Roche son of
1987 treble winner Stephen and Donegal professionals Philip Deignan and Ronan McLaughlin will battle it out to
win the coveted Irish National Jersey.
With the Ballymoney riders assembled at Tyndavet to face to test on a bright and sunny afternoon. Niall O'Hagan
set out and achieved the two points he needed to get him to A3. The club would like to congratulate him on his
achievement.
Other riders in the field were Jason Taggart, Jerome McKendry, Garreth McBride and in the A3 race Bryan
McKinney.
With the A4 race following its usual trend of coming to a sprint finish, Niall was able to mix it with other
riders from Dublin and Westport getting an excellent 5th placing ahead of club mates, McKendry, Taggart and
McBride.
Bryan McKinney was in a rich vein of form getting a top placing in the A3 race when he was narrowly beaten into
3rd place behind John McCormick and Darragh Zaidan. Bryan really pushes himself and this week was in 25 mile TT
action at the League TT at Ballymena on Thursday evening. Bryan got a 12th and a time of 59.31, averaging over
25mph.
Coming Events
This Tuesday night the Bann Wheelers have a Road Race on the Drumail Circuit at Aghadowey and then on Wednesday
night Ballymoney CC hold their 16km TT on the Stranocum - Dervock circuit. This course saw the record being set
by top vet rider John Madden
in a time of 22.52 for the just over 10 mile event.
2011 No.14
Ballymoney Cycling Club...Portrush to Donegal for Meningitis
Research
 Ballymoney Cycling Club members set off from Portrush to
the Downies in Co. Donegal. A trip of 90 miles to help raise funds for Meningitis Research the four lads Niall,
Charlie, Trevor, Ken were accompanied on the first leg of the journey over the Limavady mountain by 14 year old
Ellen McAree. Ellen who was competing in the Dave Kane League 10 mile TT on the Portrush Road on Thursday
evening, set about making the Limavady mountain her next goal, and by all accounts made easy work of the 1000
foot mountain road.
As the four intrepid cyclists battled through the elements they were invited to stop at Downey's restaurant in
Derry for refreshments and lunch served up by head chef Kieran Dunne. With just under half way covered the pace
was steady as they headed for Letterkenny and a final coffee stop, bottles filled before their final push to
the Downies, where the North sea and the Atlantic come together.
The total journey was kept a comfortable pace and the four arrived in a time of just under 5 hours.
All proceeds will be presented to the Meningitis Research in the next few days.
Cycling Ulster Team TT Championships.
 Ballymoney Cycling Club riders Bryan McKinney and Niall O'Hagan
joined forces with Slane cycles riders Conor and Leo McAllister to try their hand at Team time trialling.
The event was promoted by the Belfast based Phoenix CC and it was their own team who were fastest on the
night with a time of 51.07 for 25 miles. The four lads Mark Brown, John Neill, John Smyth and Stuart
Bennett made this event on the Woodgreen course at Ballymena their stomping now two years running. The
composite Ballymoney CC/Slane Cycles Team recorded a time of 52.51 for the 25 miles.
Bryan McKinney was again in time trialling action at Woodgreen again on the Thursday night riding in the Dave
Kane League 10 TT. Bryan recorded a seasons best of 22.29 finishing 10th overall.
Tour of the Mourne's and the Red Hand Trophy
 These are two of the best established races here in the north of
Ireland, the Tour of the Mourne's that skirts the famous mountain range in Co. Down, starting in Newry,
Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Newcastle, Hilltown, and back into Newry with 68 miles covered. Both Bryan McKinney
and Steven McAllister were in action in both the Tour of the Mourne's and the famous Red Hand Trophy.
Bryan finishing in the bunch at Newry with club mate McAllister puncturing in the final miles. This race
was won by Dundalk triathlete Bryan McCrystal.
The Red Hand raceis run in the Glens of Antrim with almost 70 miles of hard riding to complete before
the finish in Broughshane, This is the second year running that Steven McAllister won a first placing in his A
section, last year he was first A4 in 19th place overall and this year he was first A2 and 12th overall, Bryan
McKinney was 15th and finished with McAllister in the bunch. The race was won by professional cyclist Martyn
Irvine from the Giant Kenda Team, from Ballymoney CC honorary member Stephen Gallagher. Gallagher is just two
weeks back from breaking his collar bone at the Rutland GP in England. He had plates and screws surgically
fitted to secure his speedy return in time for the 8 day FBD Ras stage race in two weeks
Result of the Red Hand 70 miles.
1st Martyn Irvine Giant Kenda Asia
2nd Stephen Gallagher Cycle Premier.
3rd Simon Williams Team Basso
12th Steven McAllister BCC
15th Bryan McKinney BCC
Next weeks reportwill feature the Inter club League Road Race Series, this first race was promoted by
BRC and saw a big turn out at Slaght near Ballymena. BCC were also represented at the North Down promoted A4
racing and the N.Ireland Road Race Championship held at Bangor on Sunday. The Cork man Three day is a big
schoolboy event and it was here that Aaron Swan and Craig Crawford were in action, full report next week.
Coming Events.
This Wednesday night the Ballymoney Club will promote their club road race on the Tullaghans circuit over 25
miles. The first riders will set off at 7pm.
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